“Patrick Melrose” is a five-episode drama that tracks a wealthy Englishman from a brutal childhood through decades of addiction and back toward recovery. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Patrick, and it was created by David Nicholls, who adapted the novels by Edward St Aubyn. The show premiered on Showtime in 2018, with all five episodes directed by Edward Berger and written by Nicholls.
Trailer, via Sky TV.
The Melrose Family
The series follows Patrick across the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and early 2000s. His father, David Melrose, played by Hugo Weaving, is cruel and abusive. His mother, Eleanor Melrose, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, is absent and negligent. Sebastian Maltz plays young Patrick, and Jessica Raine plays Julia, Patrick’s wife.
The supporting cast is full. Pip Torrens plays Nicholas Pratt, Prasanna Puwanarajah plays Johnny Hall, Holliday Grainger plays Bridget Watson-Scott, Indira Varma plays Anne Moore, Anna Madeley plays Mary Melrose, Blythe Danner plays Nancy, Celia Imrie plays Kettle, Harriet Walter plays Princess Margaret, Allison Williams plays Marianne Hickman, Marianne Morfydd Clark plays Debbie, Amanda Root plays Virginia Watson-Scott and Marcus Smith plays Robert Melrose.
The Structure of Five Episodes
Each episode covers a decade, with Patrick moving through different stages of his life. The show jumps between the past and the present, showing Patrick as a child, as a young man and as an adult recovering from addiction. This structure lets the series explore how Patrick’s childhood trauma shapes his later behavior.
The show balances its serious subject matter with humor. It is a critical look at the upper class, and it does not shy away from depicting the family’s wealth and privilege alongside its dysfunction.
Cumberbatch’s Performance
Cumberbatch carries the show. He plays Patrick at multiple ages, and he finds different ways to convey the same broken spirit across decades. The performance is demanding, and it is consistently strong throughout the five episodes.
Weaving and Jason Leigh also stand out. Their portrayal of David and Eleanor gives the show its emotional core. David is a terrifying presence, and Eleanor is a sad one. Together, they create a household that is both oppressive and tragic.
The show’s humor comes from its perspective. It is told from Patrick’s point of view, and he is wry, sarcastic and often amused by the absurdity of his own life. This tone keeps the show from becoming entirely bleak, even when the subject matter is dark.
A Critical Reception
The show was praised for its writing, direction and performances. The adaptation stays faithful to the novels while finding its own visual style. Berger’s direction is precise, and Nicholls’ writing is sharp.
| Episode | Time Period | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 1960s | Childhood abuse |
| Episode 2 | 1970s | Teenage rebellion |
| Episode 3 | 1980s | Adult addiction |
| Episode 4 | 1990s | Marriage and children |
| Episode 5 | Early 2000s | Recovery |
The show does not resolve everything neatly. It ends with Patrick still working through his issues, which feels honest given the lifelong nature of recovery.
“A critical and often humorous look at the upper class.”
That line sums up the show’s approach. It criticizes the rich while finding comedy in their excess.
Final Word
“Patrick Melrose” is a well-made, well-acted drama about a difficult life. It is not an easy watch, but it is a rewarding one. The show’s willingness to laugh at its subject while still taking it seriously is its strength.
It is a show about the weight of the past and the difficulty of letting it go. It is also a show about privilege and how it can both protect and trap a person.
The series is a worthy adaptation of St Aubyn’s novels, and it stands on its own as a compelling piece of television. It earns its place among the best dramas of its year.
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